US 2,010,331,145 · Filed 2010-04-26
Nike's Modular Athletic Watch That Lets You Swap Tech Like Lego Bricks
Imagine a sports watch where the actual computer part pops off the wristband like a cartridge, so you can upgrade it without buying a whole new watch. Nike patented a design where the band and the smart module separate, letting athletes swap out the tech while keeping their comfortable band.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers the specific design of a removable electronic module that attaches to an athletic wristband, including the way the module houses a controller, screen, and user inputs—especially a special input that works by pushing directly into the screen. What's protected here is the modular architecture itself: the ability to detach and reattach the computing part from the fabric or material band independently.
Why it matters
This patent reflects Nike's strategy to make athletic wearables upgradeable and customizable rather than disposable. By separating the wristband (which degrades from sweat and wear) from the electronics (which become outdated), the design extends product life and reduces waste while letting users swap modules as technology improves. It's a clever approach to consumer electronics sustainability.
Real-world use
When you're training for a marathon, you could pop the smart module off your favorite running band, upgrade to a new processor, and snap it back on without losing your customized strap.
Original USPTO abstract
A device for monitoring athletic performance of a user has a wristband configured to be worn by the user. An electronic module is removably attached to the wristband. The electronic module has a controller and a screen and a plurality of user inputs operably associated with the controller. The user inputs include a user input configured to be applied by the user against the screen and in a direction generally normal to the screen. The controller may further be configured to generate one or more user interfaces in response to various user inputs and conditions. For example, the controller may generate workout mode interfaces and non-workout mode interfaces including various goal information, workout data, reminders and the like. In one or more arrangements, multiple types of information may be displayed simultaneously.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 2,010,331,145
- Filing date
- 2010-04-26
- Grant date
- Application — not yet granted
- Assignee
- Nike, Inc.
- Inventor(s)
- LAKOVIC TOMISLAV, BURTON MAXIMILLIAN P., COBBETT JAMIAN R., MOLYNEUX JAMES
- CPC class
- A61B5/1118
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